The signing ceremony took place in Bangkok and the MOU was signed by Mr. Khamla Phommvanh, Director General of the Department of Waterways, Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Lao PDR, and Mr. Kritpetch Chaichuay, Director General of the Marine Department, Ministry of Transportation of Thailand. The signing of this MOU was witnessed by Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, CEO of the MRC Secretariat, Mr. Phonepaseuth Phouliphanh, Secretary General of the Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat, Member of the MRC Joint Committee for Lao PDR, and Mr. Vaitit Ojavij, Executive Advisor on Water Strategy, Deputy Secretary General of the Office of National Water Resources, representing the Thai National Mekong Committee. The MoU was a result of 10 years of deliberations and close cooperation between Lao PDR and Thailand, supported by the MRC Secretariat, to develop common navigation safety and pollution prevention regulations for the mainstream of the Mekong River. 

The initiative began under the “Master Plan for Regional Waterborne Transport on the Mekong River Basin,” which aimed to improve regional river transport, strengthen safety measures, support tourism and trade, and better protect passengers, vessel crews, and the river environment.  Since 2017, technical working groups from both countries have worked closely together with continuous support from the MRC to prepare a broader framework comprising 13 regulations covering navigation safety, emergency response, pollution control, ship inspections, search and rescue operations, tanker safety, and the transport of dangerous goods.  For the first phase, the Lao PDR and Thailand have agreed to implement a non-legally binding MoU with five annexes covering key areas of cooperation. The signing of the MOU underscores Lao PDR's and Thailand's commitment and dedication to ensuring freedom of navigation in line with Article 9 of the 1995 Mekong Agreement. Harmonisation and implementation of the annexed regulations will be key towards achieving successful and practical realisation of the MOU. These Regulations cover ship traffic, safety, equipment, inspections, emergency response, search & rescue, salvage, wreck removal, and certification of Lao and Thai crew on the Mekong River. The signed MoU also identifies eight additional regulations for further harmonisation, covering passenger protection, oil spill contingency plans, port safety, waste management, vessel classification, emergency response to hazardous spills, tanker safety, and the handling of dangerous goods.  1 “We view that safe and sustainable navigation, as affirmed under Article 9 of the 1995 Mekong Agreement, is essential to achieve harmonised regulations that would enhance emergency response, risk mitigation, safety of navigation, and pollution prevention in order to protect the people and communities whose livelihoods depend on the Mekong River,” said Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, Chief Executive Officer of the MRC Secretariat. She emphasised that the MoU demonstrates that through persistent dialogue and cooperation, clear and tangible results can be delivered for regional benefits, which can turn challenges into opportunities and move us toward a more connected, resilient, and sustainable Mekong Basin.

KPL